austraLasia #3510

EAO First Professions in Fatumaca and Genzano
Fatumaca - Genzano di Roma: September 8, 2014 – We have not heard yet from other East Asia Oceania (EAO) provinces, but Fatumaca had sent some pictures of their first profession. Fr Joao Paulino Aparicio SDB, the superior of the Vice Province received the 11 novices on behalf of the Rector Major. Among the many Salesians who witnessed this first profession were the two rectors of the Post-Novitiates of Jakarta and Dili.

While in a different time zone, in a city named Genzano di Roma, on the same day but six hours later, another Asian was doing his first profession in front of the Rector Major. He is Cleric John Dominic Alcudia of the ICC Province, born in Rome from Filipino parents who are active in the Salesian Parish of Sacro Cuore near Termini-Rome. Bro Dominic himself was member of the oratory of Sacro Cuore and many of the Filipino Salesians who passed by Rome would certainly have known the Alcudia Family.

Together with Bro Dominic were 18 other novices who became Salesians, coming from 8 Salesian provinces. These 19 new Salesians came from Italy(6), Spain(6), Croatia(5), Hungary(1) and Portugal(1).

The Rector Major, Fr Angel Fernandez Artime SDB, his first time to attend the first profession of this International Novitiate, was surprised at the big number of confreres who had attended. Also present were three provincials from Italy, two from Spain and one each from Portugal, Croatia and the vicar of Hungary.

At the end of the Celebration, the Rector Major thanked the parents, relatives, teachers and the formators of these young men who had just made a big commitment to the Lord on behalf of the youth - poor, needy and marginalized. One of Fr Angel's final recommendations to the new young Salesians was to celebrate also, together, their 50th anniversary of profession.